Canada’s got a surprising variety of native squirrels—everything from classic bushy-tailed tree squirrels to the ground and flying types. Most squirrels you’ll spot (about two dozen species across the country) are native, including the familiar eastern gray, plus several ground and flying squirrel species.
If you’re curious about which species live where, how to tell them apart, and what kind of places they like, you’re in the right place. Up ahead, you’ll find highlights of native squirrel species in Canada and some straightforward ID tips—handy for your backyard or the next time you’re out hiking.
Need a quick way to tell them apart? Check the tail, size, and where you find them—those details usually split up tree, ground, and flying squirrels in Canada. For the full list (and more photos), just scroll down to the ID guide.
Native Squirrel Species in Canada
Canada’s home to a bunch of squirrel types, each adapted to its own slice of the country—from city parks to deep boreal forests. Some climb trees, some glide, and others stick close to the ground.
Tree Squirrels
You’ll find tree squirrels like the American red squirrel and eastern gray squirrel in a lot of spots. The red squirrel pops up across most forested areas and mostly eats conifer seeds, especially spruce and pine. The eastern gray squirrel hangs out in southern Ontario and Quebec, favoring hardwood forests and city parks where nuts and seeds are everywhere.
Tree squirrels usually build nests (dreys) in branches or settle into tree cavities. They’re out during the day and stash food for winter. In cities, gray squirrels seem to do well around people and bird feeders.
Key ID tips:
- American red squirrel: small, reddish fur, white belly.
- Eastern gray squirrel: bigger, gray fur, bushy tail.
Flying Squirrels
Flying squirrels don’t actually fly—they glide using a skin flap called a patagium. Both northern and southern flying squirrels live in Canada, sticking to mature forests with plenty of tree cavities. You’ll mostly hear or see them at night, since they’re nocturnal and go after seeds, fungi, insects, and sap.
They show up in mixed woodlands and old forests, nesting in tree hollows. Their gliding lets them move between trees quietly, dodging ground predators. Plus, they help spread fungal spores that trees need.
Field signs:
- Nighttime activity and soft calls.
- Nesting in cavities or nest boxes.
- Quick, silent glides between trees.
Ground Squirrels and Chipmunks
Ground squirrels and chipmunks keep close to the ground or underground. You might spot the thirteen-lined ground squirrel, Richardson’s ground squirrel, and several chipmunk species. Prairie dogs and marmots (like the hoary marmot) are close relatives—marmots show up in western mountains.
They dig burrows for shelter and hibernation. Chipmunks are smaller, striped, and stuff food in their cheek pouches. Ground squirrels eat seeds, grasses, and insects, and they often stand upright to keep an eye out for trouble. Look for their burrow entrances, scat, and little runways in fields, prairies, or along open woodland edges.
Key Squirrel Species and Identification
Here’s a rundown of ten common squirrel species in Canada, with tips for ID, their usual hangouts, and a bit about what they do. Pay attention to coat color, size, calls, and where you’re most likely to bump into them.
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Look for a medium-sized tree squirrel with a long, bushy tail and a mostly gray coat—sometimes silver-gray, sometimes almost black. Sciurus carolinensis often shows color morphs; in some cities, you’ll see black or brown ones. Still, the size (about 40–50 cm total length) and shape stay about the same.
You’ll spot these squirrels in parks, backyards, and deciduous woods across southern Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritimes. They’re active during the day and eat nuts, seeds, buds, and whatever they can grab from bird feeders. Watch for their quick runs along branches and the way they flick their tails and chirp when alarmed.
American Red Squirrel
The American Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) is smaller, with a reddish coat and a white belly. It’s about 30–35 cm long and has a feisty, territorial attitude. You’ll often hear its sharp, chattering call in conifer forests—it’s pretty distinctive.
Red squirrels prefer boreal and mixed conifer stands, where they stash cone crops in middens. They go for conifer seeds, fungi, berries, and sometimes bird eggs. If you see a squirrel guarding a cone pile or drying mushrooms on branches, it’s probably a red squirrel.
Douglas Squirrel
Douglas Squirrels (Tamiasciurus douglasii) look a lot like American reds but stick mostly to the Pacific coast. They’ve got reddish to brown fur, a pale belly, and their flank stripe isn’t as bold. You’ll find them in spruce and fir forests in coastal British Columbia.
They’re super territorial and either build dreys or use tree cavities. Their main diet is conifer cones, fungi, seeds, and insects. Listen for their loud, rapid chattering and watch how fiercely they defend their middens—that’s a good way to tell them apart from other western tree squirrels.
Fox Squirrel
The Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger) is the biggest tree squirrel in Canada and often looks rusty orange, brown, or a mix. Its size (up to 70 cm with the tail) and heavier build make it stand out from gray and red squirrels. You’ll mostly find them in southern Ontario and parts of Manitoba.
These squirrels use open woodlands, parks, and field edges. They spend more time on the ground than most tree squirrels, searching for acorns, corn, and fruit. Their slower, bulkier movements make them easy to spot when they cross lawns or dig to hide nuts.
Northern Flying Squirrel
The Northern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus) is nocturnal and glides between trees with a skin flap called a patagium. It’s got big dark eyes, soft gray-brown fur, and a flat tail for steering. You’re most likely to spot it at night by its eye shine or by hearing faint rustling in mature conifer or mixed forests.
They eat fungi (including truffles), lichens, seeds, and the odd insect. These squirrels often nest in tree cavities and sometimes share nests in winter. Since they’re out at night, look for clues like gnawed fungus bits or droppings near cavities if you think they’re around.
Southern Flying Squirrel
The Southern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volans) is smaller than its northern cousin and has a light belly and soft gray-brown back. You’ll find it in southern Ontario and some eastern provinces, usually in deciduous or mixed woods with older trees.
It glides just like the northern flying squirrel and comes out at night. Its diet is seeds, nuts, fungi, and sometimes bird eggs. You might attract one to a backyard nest box—they seem to like artificial boxes more than most tree squirrels do.
Arctic Ground Squirrel
The Arctic Ground Squirrel (Urocitellus parryii) is a sturdy, burrowing rodent built for tundra and alpine zones. Its fur ranges from brown to pale gray with a lighter belly. You’ll run into it in the Arctic and subarctic, where it spends much of the year hibernating.
These squirrels dig big burrow systems with separate spots for nests and food storage. They eat grasses, roots, seeds, and insects during the short Arctic summer. Listen for their loud, high-pitched alarm calls and watch for them standing upright scanning for predators.
Richardson’s Ground Squirrel
Richardson’s Ground Squirrel (Urocitellus richardsonii) is a prairie dweller with brownish fur and a short tail. You’ll see it in grasslands, farm fields, and pastures all over the Canadian Prairies. They dig complex burrows and often form loose colonies.
They’re up during the day and eat grasses, seeds, and crops. Males have a short, busy mating season in spring. Look for one sitting on a mound, acting as a lookout, or giving sharp alarm calls when something’s up.
Thirteen-Lined Ground Squirrel
The Thirteen-Lined Ground Squirrel (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus) is small and shows off pale stripes and spots down its back. You’ll find it in open, grassy places—lawns, golf courses, fields, and short-grass prairies from southern Canada into the U.S. Midwest.
It’s out during the day and likes to bask near burrow entrances. Diet is seeds, insects, and sometimes small vertebrates. Their striped pattern makes them easy to spot as they dart through short grass or zip to their burrow mounds.
Columbian Ground Squirrel
The Columbian Ground Squirrel (Urocitellus columbianus) stands out as a large, sturdy ground squirrel with a gray-brown coat. You’ll find them hanging out in mountain meadows, talus slopes, and subalpine spots across western Canada.
People often spot their colonies basking on sunny hillsides, stretched out on rocks. They really seem to love the sunshine.
These squirrels hibernate through those long, tough winters. When summer rolls around, they get busy eating grasses, flowers, and seeds.
In a colony, you might notice sentries keeping watch and letting out sharp whistles. Their bigger size and preference for alpine places make it easier to tell them apart from chipmunks and other ground squirrels.
